During his rule, the evil [[Easterlings]] known as [[Balchoth]] gathered for an assault upon [[Gondor]], passing over the Undeeps of [[Anduin]] into the northern province of [[Calenardhon]]. Cirion could not spare many men to defend this part of his realm, and in despair he sent several messengers to their old friends the [[Éothéod]], a people living in the far north.

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==History==

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===The Threat from the North and the Battle of the Fields of Celebrant===

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Upon assuming the Stewardship in {{TA|2489}},<ref name="South"/> one of Cirion's main concerns was the threat of invasion from the north, where the forts along the [[Anduin]] had long been abandoned. He stationed a few men there and sent scouts into the area between [[Mirkwood]] and [[Dagorlad]]. Cirion's spies discovered new enemies, the [[Balchoth]], steadily migrating in from beyond the Sea of [[Rhûn]].

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Only one man, [[Borondir]], reached the Éothéod capital of [[Framsburg]], and deliverd his message to the king [[Eorl the Young]].

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After the winter of {{TA|2509|n}}, reports came to Cirion that hosts of men were mustering along the southern edge of Mirkwood with plans to invade Gondor. Desperately, Cirion dispatched several messengers to the [[Éothéod]] asking for help. These people had long been friendly to Gondor, but had removed to the far north near the sources of the Anduin.

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After not receiving any answer for a full year, Cirion set out west through [[Anórien]], to prevent the Balchoth from crossing the Anduin at the Undeeps and the Wold.

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Six volunteer riders were chosen to attempt the nine hundred and fifty mile journey through [[Calenardhon]], over the [[Undeeps]], and past the shadow of [[Dol Guldur]]. Only one, [[Borondir]], got through to [[Framsburg]] when he delivered his message to King [[Eorl]] the Young.

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The army of Gondor was defeated and driven back across the river [[Limlight]] to the [[Field of Celebrant]]. In what was probably a coordinated attack, [[Orcs]] had come out of the [[Misty Mountains|Hithaeglir]] (Misty Mountains), and assailed the flank from the west, driving the forces of Gondor towards the Anduin. All hope was lost, when unlooked for came the riders of Éothéod out of the North. Together the Éothéod and the army of Gondor defeated the Balchoth and Orcs, driving them into the Wold.

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Knowing that there was scant chance of his message arriving, and not knowing if the Éothéod would respond, Cirion gathered as great a strength as he could and prepared to lead it himself against the threat, while leaving his son [[Hallas]] in command at [[Minas Tirith]].

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Cirion was a wise man, and saw that he could use the Éothéod further. He told Eorl that he would leave Calenardhon in his care, and meet Eorl again in three months' time. Back at [[Minas Tirith]], Cirion ordered some of his most trusted servants to go to the Firien Woods in Anórien, and in secret clear the way to the mountain of [[Amon Anwar]] at the [[Halifirien]] beacon.

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However, as Cirion led his forces north, the Balchoth crossed the Anduin on rafts and overpowered the defenders. Cirion's army was cut off and driven north over the [[Limlight]]. Then came a sudden attack by a horde of Orcs descending from the [[Misty Mountains]], which pressed Cirion towards the Anduin. Hope was failing when suddenly the horns of Eorl's riders were heard and the fortunes of the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]] were reversed. Eorl the Young and his riders swept away the enemy, pursuing the Balchoth across the fields of Calenardhon.<ref name="Cirion">{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>

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Three months later Cirion, his son [[Hallas]], the Prince of [[Dol Amroth]], and two others Councilors of Gondor set out for Calenardhon, and Cirion met with Eorl. They ascended Amon Anwar, and Cirion revealed the shrine to [[Elendil]], built in secret at this mountain, as it formed the centre of the Gondor of old. At this secret place, he revealed his plan to give Calenardhon as a free gift to the Éothéod, so that there should be a perpetual friendship between the Éothéod and the people of Gondor. On the behalf of his people, Eorl accepted this deal, swearing the [[Oath of Eorl]] and becoming the first [[King of Rohan]].

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===The Founding of Rohan===

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{{sequence

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After the great victory, Cirion parted from Eorl but asked him to meet him again in three months upon the banks of the [[Mering Stream]]. When they met again, Cirion had caused the overgrown path up [[Amon Anwar]] to be cleared, and the two men with their parties ascended the hill.

Prior reaching the top, Cirion revealed his resolution, to offer to Eorl the land of Calenardhon for him and his people, in perpetual alliance with Gondor. Eorl accepted, in acknowledgment of Cirion's wisdom and friendship. The group then continued to climb and, at the summit, Cirion revealed the tomb of [[Elendil]]. Before witnesses (Cirion’s son [[Hallas]], the [[Princes of Dol Amroth|Prince]] of [[Dol Amroth]], and two other [[Council of Gondor|Councilors of Gondor]]), Cirion pledged his bond with Eorl. In return, Eorl swore the [[Oath of Eorl]] and became the first [[King of Rohan]].<ref name="Cirion"/>

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When [[Rohan]] was founded, Cirion judged that the "Tradition of Isildur" was now made void: The hallow was no longer "at the midpoint" and Gondor was not the Kingdom as it was when Isildur spoke. Cirion removed the casket that Isildur had set within the mound and sent it to the [[Hallows]] of [[Minas Tirith]].<ref name="Tradition">{{UT|Cirion}}, (iv) ''The Tradition of Isildur''</ref>

Contents

History

The Threat from the North and the Battle of the Fields of Celebrant

Upon assuming the Stewardship in T.A.2489,[2] one of Cirion's main concerns was the threat of invasion from the north, where the forts along the Anduin had long been abandoned. He stationed a few men there and sent scouts into the area between Mirkwood and Dagorlad. Cirion's spies discovered new enemies, the Balchoth, steadily migrating in from beyond the Sea of Rhûn.

After the winter of 2509, reports came to Cirion that hosts of men were mustering along the southern edge of Mirkwood with plans to invade Gondor. Desperately, Cirion dispatched several messengers to the Éothéod asking for help. These people had long been friendly to Gondor, but had removed to the far north near the sources of the Anduin.

Six volunteer riders were chosen to attempt the nine hundred and fifty mile journey through Calenardhon, over the Undeeps, and past the shadow of Dol Guldur. Only one, Borondir, got through to Framsburg when he delivered his message to King Eorl the Young.

Knowing that there was scant chance of his message arriving, and not knowing if the Éothéod would respond, Cirion gathered as great a strength as he could and prepared to lead it himself against the threat, while leaving his son Hallas in command at Minas Tirith.

However, as Cirion led his forces north, the Balchoth crossed the Anduin on rafts and overpowered the defenders. Cirion's army was cut off and driven north over the Limlight. Then came a sudden attack by a horde of Orcs descending from the Misty Mountains, which pressed Cirion towards the Anduin. Hope was failing when suddenly the horns of Eorl's riders were heard and the fortunes of the Battle of the Field of Celebrant were reversed. Eorl the Young and his riders swept away the enemy, pursuing the Balchoth across the fields of Calenardhon.[3]

The Founding of Rohan

After the great victory, Cirion parted from Eorl but asked him to meet him again in three months upon the banks of the Mering Stream. When they met again, Cirion had caused the overgrown path up Amon Anwar to be cleared, and the two men with their parties ascended the hill.

Prior reaching the top, Cirion revealed his resolution, to offer to Eorl the land of Calenardhon for him and his people, in perpetual alliance with Gondor. Eorl accepted, in acknowledgment of Cirion's wisdom and friendship. The group then continued to climb and, at the summit, Cirion revealed the tomb of Elendil. Before witnesses (Cirion’s son Hallas, the Prince of Dol Amroth, and two other Councilors of Gondor), Cirion pledged his bond with Eorl. In return, Eorl swore the Oath of Eorl and became the first King of Rohan.[3]

When Rohan was founded, Cirion judged that the "Tradition of Isildur" was now made void: The hallow was no longer "at the midpoint" and Gondor was not the Kingdom as it was when Isildur spoke. Cirion removed the casket that Isildur had set within the mound and sent it to the Hallows of Minas Tirith.[4]